Local player is leaping at Lambeau

Kelly McElroy

Friday

Nov 23, 2007 at 10:37 AMNov 23, 2007 at 10:48 AM

By now, pretty much everyone in the area is familiar with New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs.

Jacobs, the 6-foot-4, 264-pound bruiser, prepped at Assumption High and graduated in 2001, but not before imposing his will on many area teams, and leading the Mustangs to many victories during his time there.

In his third year with the Giants, fans have grown fond of Jacobs, and word is, he has quite the cult following in and around the Big Apple.

I guess his size, running style, playful demeanor and the emotion in which he plays, combined with the fact he has rushed for 545 yards on 104 carries (5.2 yards a carry) this season despite missing a few games with an injury will garner that support.

Jacobs has truly made all of Assumption proud, but on Sunday in Green Bay, Wis., another former Assumption standout had his first really big NFL moment.

Green Bayís Tramon Williams, who like Jacobs was born in Houma and graduated from Assumption in 2001, returned a pooch punt 94-yards for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers the Packersí 31-17 victory.

He even got in on a little Lambeau Leap after the score.

While Jacobs (drafted in the fourth round of the 2005 draft) and Williams helped the Mustangs to four district titles, it was Jacobs who garnered most of the attention in football.

On the basketball court, Williams was overshadowed by former Assumption player and Georgetown star Darrell Owens.

In fact, Williams (6-0, 180) didnít even receive a scholarship out of high school to go to Louisiana Tech. He walked onto the Bulldogs football team, was a scout player in 2002, then began seeing significant time for the Louisiana Tech at cornerback throughout his senior year.

As a senior, Williams led the country in passes defended with 16, and added three interceptions and 43 tackles.

But that wasnít enough to garner an invite to the NFL combine following his senior year of 2005.

Williams was passed up in the NFL draft, but was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Houston Texas in May 2006.

He spent training camp with the team, but was cut before the start of the regular season.

Then the Packers signed him to the practice squad for the final five games of 2006, before he made the team in 2007.

He is listed as a cornerback, but has played primarily on special teams. The Packers are 10-1 and are now considered a favorite to come out of the NFC as the Super Bowl representative.

We may see more of Williams on the field this season for the Packers. He has proven to make the most of his chances, and has shown his determination.

Just before signing with the Texans out of Louisiana Tech in 2006, Williams told The Courier and Daily Comet that he was confident in his ability.

"I can bring a lot to a team," Williams said. "I can be a playmaker. I just have to prove to them by working hard every play."

He was right, and now Williams has made one heck of a Lambeau Leap.

Staff Writer Kelly McElroy can be reached at 857-2211 or 448-1200 ext. 2211.

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